Page Type: languageZialo | Ethnologue

ZIL ISO 639-3

Zialo

A language of Guinea

ISO 639
zil
Alternate Names
Shialu, Zialu, Ziolo, Ziyolo
Population
25,000 (2010 V. Vydrin).
Location:
Nzérékoré region: Macenta prefecture, Zembezou and Panziazou subprefectures. 45 villages. About third of Zialo speakers live in the cities of Guinea.
Language Status
6a* (Vigorous).
Classification
Niger-Congo, Mande, Western, Central-Southwestern, Southwestern, Mende-Loma
Dialects
Kelighigo, Bayawa, Wolo-Ziolo (Wolo-Ziyolo), Woyjawa, Lawolozu (Laawolozu). Reportedly similar to Bandi [bza] and Toma [tod].
Typology
SOV; postpositions; noun head initial; dual number; 24 consonants and 28 vowels, contrasting in nasality and length; tonal (2 level tones: high, low), both lexical and grammatical; alienable/inalienable possession; inclusive/exclusive pronouns.
Language Use
Also use Toma [tod], especially the older generation (Babaev 2010).
Language Development
Dictionary. Grammar.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Zialo
Writing
Unwritten [Qaax].
Other Comments
Traditional religion, Christian.

Also Spoken in

Map

Location: Nzérékoré region: Macenta prefecture, Zembezou and Panziazou subprefectures. 45 villages. About third of Zialo speakers live in the cities of Guinea.